Moving from Riverside, CA to Santa Maria, CA
It is a 215 mi drive, roughly 4h 24m, between Riverside, CA and Santa Maria, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
215 mi Β· 4h 24m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 134, US 101, CA 154 |
| Major cities en route | San Bernardino, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Menifee, Jurupa Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Riverside | Santa Maria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 108.798 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 149.807 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 151.394 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 106.442 vs 108.798 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $646,784 vs $658,011.
YoY change: Riverside -1.4%, Santa Maria +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Riverside | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 10.0" | 13.3" |
Annual temperature drops 8.3Β°F moving to Santa Maria per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US, SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Riverside | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 109,880 |
| Median household income | $88,575 | $84,617 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 29.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 11.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.42 | 3.78 |
Median household incomes in Riverside ($88,575) and Santa Maria ($84,617) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Maria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,340 | $35,370 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,000 | $48,900 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,770 | $37,820 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 13,920 | $66,060 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations | 13,560 | $36,290 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Santa Maria sees only 13.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How far is Santa Maria, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance is 215 mi and the route typically takes 4h 24m via CA 134 and US 101. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Santa Maria compared to Riverside?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,011 in Santa Maria vs $646,784 in Riverside β a 1.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Riverside to Santa Maria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 215 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Santa Maria compare to Riverside?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA vs $47,450 in the Riverside MSA, on total employment of 202,410 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Riverside vs Santa Maria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,617 in Santa Maria vs $88,575 in Riverside β a 4.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Santa Maria more expensive than Riverside?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Maria is 2.2% higher than Riverside (108.798 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Riverside.
City profiles: Riverside, CA Β· Santa Maria, CA.